SSC CHSL 2026: Exam Date, Syllabus, Eligibility & Free Mocks

SSC CHSL is a national-level recruitment examination conducted by the Staff Selection Commission to fill Lower Division Clerk (LDC), Junior Secretariat Assistant (JSA) and Data Entry Operator (DEO) posts across ministries, departments and offices of the Government of India. It is the primary route into a central government clerical career for candidates who have completed Class 12.

Because the minimum qualification is 10+2 rather than a degree, CHSL draws one of the largest applicant pools of any SSC examination — routinely over 30 lakh registrations against a few thousand vacancies. Selection runs through two computer-based tiers followed by a qualifying typing or data-entry skill test.

SSC CHSL is popular because it offers a permanent central government job to candidates with only a Class 12 qualification, with a starting in-hand salary of roughly ₹25,000–30,000 and no upper limit on career progression.

For lakhs of aspirants who cannot commit to a three-year degree before applying, CHSL is the earliest realistic entry point into central government service. Selected candidates receive Seventh Pay Commission pay, dearness allowance, house rent allowance, transport allowance, pension under NPS, and central government health scheme coverage.

The syllabus overlaps heavily with SSC CGL, SSC MTS and most banking exams, so preparation compounds across applications. Many candidates clear CHSL first, join, and continue preparing for CGL while already drawing a government salary.

• Only Class 12 required — no graduation needed
• Permanent central government post with NPS pension
• Syllabus overlaps with SSC CGL, MTS and banking exams
• Departmental promotion to higher grades over time

Expected schedule for the 2026 cycle, based on the Commission’s annual calendar.ssc.gov.in — Examination Calendar

The most recent SSC CHSL cycle carried approximately 3,100+ vacancies.

SSC announces a tentative vacancy count with the notification and revises it before the final result. Vacancy for the 2026 cycle will be published with the notification — always confirm the current figure on ssc.gov.in before applying.

Vacancies announced in the most recent SSC CHSL notification.ssc.gov.in — Official Notification

To apply for SSC CHSL 2026 a candidate must have passed Class 12 (10+2) from a recognised board and be between 18 and 27 years of age as on the cut-off date specified in the notification.

Educational Qualification

Passed 12th Standard or equivalent examination from a recognised Board or University.

• For Data Entry Operator in the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (C&AG): 12th Standard pass in the Science stream with Mathematics as a subject.
• Candidates awaiting their Class 12 result may apply provisionally, but must possess the qualification as on the cut-off date stated in the notification.

Age Limit

The age limit for SSC CHSL is 18 to 27 years. Age is calculated as on the cut-off date given in the official notification, not the date of the exam. Verify the exact cut-off date each cycle.

Nationality

• A citizen of India, or
• A subject of Nepal or Bhutan, or
• A Tibetan refugee who came to India before 1 January 1962 with the intention of permanently settling in India, or
• A person of Indian origin who has migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, East African countries, Vietnam or Ethiopia with the intention of permanently settling in India.

SSC CHSL is conducted in two computer-based tiers. Tier 1 is a 100-question objective paper of 200 marks in 60 minutes with 0.50 negative marking, and Tier 2 is a 2-hour-15-minute paper carrying 405 marks that includes a qualifying typing or data-entry skill test.

1. 1Online application on the SSC portal within the notified window.
2. 2Tier 1 computer-based examination — used to shortlist candidates for Tier 2.
3. 3Tier 2 computer-based examination — determines the final merit.
4. 4Typing Test or Data Entry Speed Test — qualifying in nature, post-specific.
5. 5Document verification and medical examination as applicable.
6. 6Final merit list and allocation of post and department.

The SSC CHSL syllabus covers four areas — English Language, General Intelligence and Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude, and General Awareness — at Class 10 to Class 12 difficulty, with Tier 2 adding a Computer Knowledge module.

SSC CHSL posts fall under Pay Level 2 to Pay Level 5 of the Seventh Pay Commission, with basic pay from ₹19,900 to ₹92,300 and an approximate starting in-hand salary of ₹25,000 to ₹32,000 depending on post and city.

Allowances and Benefits

• Dearness Allowance (DA) — revised twice a year
• House Rent Allowance (HRA) — 27%, 18% or 9% of basic pay by city class
• Transport Allowance (TA) — city-dependent, with DA on TA
• National Pension System (NPS) with government contribution
• Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) medical coverage

The most effective SSC CHSL strategy is to build speed in Quantitative Aptitude and Reasoning first, since those two sections decide the Tier 2 merit, while keeping General Awareness as a daily short-duration revision habit.